The Hazards of Driving At Altitude
Nicknamed the “Mile High City,” you might wonder, “What’s the elevation in Denver?” It sits exactly 5,280 feet above sea level. This elevation means that Denver is high enough to affect both people and machines but not so high that either becomes completely incapacitated. The city’s unique position is interesting for understanding how altitude affects driving.
Why Is It Harder To Breathe At Higher Altitudes?
At Denver’s elevation, you have about 17% less oxygen in each breath you take compared to sea level. Your body notices this immediately. Even walking up a flight of stairs can leave you out of breath. This affects every system in your body, including the ones you need for driving or riding your motorcycle.
Denver Altitude Sickness Symptoms
Most people’s bodies often react strongly to Denver elevation effects. The most common symptoms that can affect driving safety include:
- Headaches that get worse with physical exertion
- Dizziness that can affect depth perception
- Unexpected fatigue, even after normal rest
- Shortness of breath during routine activities
- Nausea that may come and go unpredictably
These symptoms shouldn’t be ignored, especially if you plan to drive.
How To Avoid Altitude Sickness in Denver
Fortunately, there are proven ways of reducing altitude sickness, including:
- Drinking more water than you think you need
- Taking frequent breaks, especially during mountain driving
- Avoiding alcohol for the first day or two
- Getting extra sleep while your body adjusts
- Starting any activities at a slower pace than usual
Most people find that these symptoms improve significantly within 24-48 hours if they follow these precautions.
Traveling At High Altitudes: Vehicle Performance Challenges
Cars face their own set of altitude-related challenges. Modern vehicles have computers that try to compensate for elevation changes, but they can only do so much. The fundamental problem remains — less oxygen means less power and different operating conditions for every system in the vehicle.
The margin for error shrinks at altitude, and to safely navigate, you should:
- Increase the following distance, especially with trucks
- Perform thorough vehicle inspections before mountain trips
- Get extra rest before driving at altitude
- Plan your routes to include safe places to pull over
Remember, everything becomes more dangerous because both your vehicle and your body respond differently.
Does Altitude Affect Tire Pressure?
Yes. As you drive up in elevation, the air pressure outside the tire decreases, which makes the air inside the tire expand. A tire that was perfectly inflated at sea level might become dangerously overinflated in Denver. The change is about 1 PSI for every 1,000 feet of elevation gain.
Worn tires that might be acceptable at sea level can become dangerous at altitude because they provide less room for mistakes when you need to brake or turn suddenly. The combination of changing pressure and reduced tire grip makes thorough tire inspection essential before any mountain trip.
Does Altitude Affect Gas Mileage?
Cars typically get better mileage in thin air because there’s less wind resistance. But modern engines tuned for sea level actually burn more fuel at altitude, trying to compensate for the lack of oxygen. The overall effect is most cars use about 3-4% more fuel for every thousand feet of elevation gain.
Do Cars Need To Be Adjusted For High Altitude?
Modern engines automatically adjust for altitude, but they can’t do everything. For people who drive regularly in Denver’s elevation, consider the following modifications:
- Get an altitude-specific engine tune
- Install a higher-flowing air filter
- Check your cooling system since engines run hotter at altitude
- Adjust your maintenance schedule for mountain conditions
Making these adjustments can help ensure your vehicle performs reliably in high-altitude conditions.
Driving Safely Through Denver’s Elevation Effects
The problems associated with high-altitude driving require awareness. You and your car will perform differently in Denver than at sea level, and recognizing and adjusting for these differences is important for safe mountain driving. With time, preparation, and awareness, your mountain driving skills will improve.
Contact our Denver Car Accident Attorneys at Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers at (720) 613 9706
For more information, please contact the Denver car accident lawyers at Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer.
We are located in Denver, CO, and proudly serve all of Denver County.
Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers
1610 Wynkoop Street, Suite 120.
Denver, CO 80202
(720) 613 9706
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About The Author
Kurt Zaner has earned national recognition for his innovative legal strategies, securing some of the largest verdicts in Colorado. He assists injured clients in Denver with personal injury cases, including car accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, motorcycle accidents, and more. Click here to view some of the fantastic case results that Zaner Law has successfully handled.
Location: Denver, CO
